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Science News Archive January 2025 - Page 6


Page 6 of 44

New acoustic wave phenomenon discovered

Researchers at Tohoku University discovered a novel propagation phenomenon in surface acoustic waves, leading to the development of innovative acoustic devices. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, reveals asymmetrical diffraction behavior that can be controlled using magnetic fields.

SourceTohoku University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 29, 2025

Global Young Academy members and alumni publish Nature article exploring academic success in 121 countries

The study analyzed 532 policies from 121 countries and found that mentoring, administrative responsibilities, and contributions to the field are often more important than publication metrics. The authors hope their work will contribute to a rethinking of policies to foster equity, inclusivity, and research integrity.

SourceGlobal Young Academy·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 29, 2025

Turning farm waste into sustainable roads

Researchers led by Xianming Shi are exploring the use of agricultural waste to build roadways, aiming to reduce carbon emissions from asphalt production. Biochar, a CO2-negative material produced through pyrolysis, can sequester carbon in asphalt pavement and potentially extend its lifespan.

Young people support the idea of a smokefree generation, according to a new study

A new study finds that young people in England broadly welcome the smokefree generation policy, seeing it as a chance to free their generation from harmful addiction. The study, led by the University of Nottingham, involved focus groups with participants aged between 12 and 21, who expressed support for the policy's implementation.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·TypeSurvey·DateJan 29, 2025

How group size affects cooperation: Insights from brain science

A recent study by Rei Akaishi at RIKEN CBS found that larger groups can actually promote greater cooperation. Participants in the 'prisoner's dilemma' game cooperated more frequently as group size grew, with brain scans showing increased activity in regions involved in prosocial behavior and memory processing. This challenges conventio...

SourceRIKEN·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2025

Hidden ‘highways’ connect Brazil’s rainforests

Scientists have found a consistent pattern of dispersal events where Inga trees migrated from the Amazon to the Atlantic rainforest, highlighting the importance of conserving riverside forests. The study's findings suggest that these 'highways' played a crucial role in shaping the history of biodiversity in the region.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJan 29, 2025

NewsGuard: Study finds no bias against conservative news outlets

A recent study evaluating NewsGuard's media reliability rating service found no evidence of bias against conservative news outlets. The analysis of over 11,000 sources in nine countries revealed stable trustworthiness scores since 2022, with the US receiving lower ratings due to hyper-partisan sources lacking editorial practices.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalJournal of Quantitative Description Digital Media·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 29, 2025

How to avoid the next crypto collapse: a new study unveils the factors behind cryptocurrency exchange failures

A new study from the University of Vaasa identifies transparency, centralisation, territorial access, fee structures, and referral schemes as risk factors in cryptocurrency exchanges. Decentralised exchanges have a lower probability of failure compared to centralised platforms due to their distributed structure.

SourceUniversity of Vaasa·JournalJournal of International Financial Markets Institutions and Money·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 29, 2025

Longitudinal analysis of obesity drug use and public awareness

The study found a significant increase in obesity drug prescriptions from 0.76 million in July 2017 to 1.5 million in February 2024, mirroring rising public online search activity for semaglutide and tirzepatide. This correlation highlights the real-time association between public awareness and prescription trends.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 29, 2025

Multidisciplinary workshops enhance respectful communication among community pharmacists

A study of 961 Japanese community pharmacists found that regular attendance at local multidisciplinary workshops was positively correlated with assertive communication styles. This suggests that such workshops may play a crucial role in promoting respectful communication among healthcare professionals, leading to better patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences·DateJan 29, 2025

Life’s building blocks in Bennu samples

The OSIRIS-REx mission returned a large sample from asteroid Bennu, which Japanese collaborators detected includes all five nucleobases required for life. The analysis revealed high concentrations of ammonia and nitrogen-rich organic matter.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2025

Blood-powered toes give salamanders an arboreal edge

Researchers at Washington State University discovered that wandering salamanders use a unique mechanism to control blood flow in their toe tips, enabling them to optimize attachment and detachment on irregular surfaces. This discovery has implications for bioinspired designed, including the development of adhesives and prosthetics.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Morphology·DateJan 29, 2025

Study reveals how microbes help detoxify our atmosphere

Researchers at Monash University have discovered how microbes consume huge amounts of carbon monoxide and reduce its levels in the atmosphere. By using a special enzyme called CO dehydrogenase, microbes extract energy from CO, powering their own survival while also cleaning the air.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2025

Grating the cheese of networks: New tool finds critical points in everything from cybersecurity to ecological conservation

Researchers introduce 'fitness centrality,' a faster method to identify crucial elements in any network, with practical applications in supply chains, ecological conservation, and cybersecurity. The approach streamlines analysis, making it practical for vast networks.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalJournal of Physics Complexity·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 28, 2025

Researchers illuminate new structures of a critical amyloid protein

The study reveals that the transthyretin protein forms asymmetric structures with two differently shaped binding pockets, which may contribute to its instability. The researchers' novel graphene grid method allows them to capture the protein's natural conformations, providing new insights into its structure and potential for targeted t...

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJan 28, 2025

Moderate exercise keeps appetite at bay

A recent study by Murdoch University reveals that moderate-intensity exercise significantly influences appetite-related hormones and perceptions in males with obesity. The study confirms the benefits of incorporating regular exercise into daily routines for weight management and overall health improvement.

SourceMurdoch University·JournalPhysiological Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 28, 2025